CHAPTER 163: Insurrection-32 FINAL

CHAPTER 163: Insurrection-32 FINAL

*United States Federal Court – Southern District of New York*
*December 15, 2000*
A cold, gray, solemn morning hung over Manhattan.

The exterior of the courthouse was surrounded by journalists, cameras, and federal police. The anticipation was at its peak: the trial against Viktor Koval and Darem Sentinel, those responsible for the Berlin incident on October 31st, was about to begin.

Inside the building, the hallways were full of movement: lawyers reviewing folders, officers adjusting their earpieces, assistants preparing the benches. Tension was palpable in every corner.

When the large wooden doors opened, Enid Corp's team entered.

Enid walked at the front, her expression firm and elegant despite her recent physical scars. Behind her were Marcus, Vanessa, Lucian, and Phoenix, dressed impeccably, though his posture still recalled a controlled predator.

Upon entering the courtroom, all murmurs ceased.

In the defendants' area sat Viktor and Darem, handcuffed, escorted by federal agents.
Darem lifted his head and his eyes met Phoenix's.

A twisted smile appeared on his face.

"It's been a long time… Über Lycan," he murmured, loud enough for only him to hear.

Phoenix felt that old instinct ignite in his chest, as if every fiber of his body wanted to cross the room and rip that man's throat out. But he took a deep breath and clenched his jaw.
He wasn't there to start a war. Not in that place. Not at that moment.

Enid, without even turning her head, said quietly:
"Phoenix… stay calm."

He nodded.
"I know. Relax."

Each took their seat: Enid Corp's team in the row designated for witnesses, the lawyers at their table, and the escorted defendants at the front.

The judge entered.
The gavel struck.
The session began.

And the fate of Viktor and Darem was about to be decided.

The trial had already been going on for over an hour.
Lawyers presented evidence, the judge listened attentively, and the jury took notes tirelessly. It was a technical, dense process, but necessary to sentence the CEO of Antigen and the last direct heir of the Strauss family.

Phoenix, seated next to Enid, never took his eyes off Darem.
Marcus watched every movement alertly.
Lucian held his breath without realizing it.
Everything seemed to be progressing as expected…

Until Viktor raised his hand.

"Your Honor…" he said with chilling calm. "I request permission to speak."

The judge, surprised but respecting protocol, nodded.

Viktor stood up.
His prison jumpsuit seemed too small for the arrogance he emanated.

"Today is a great day," he began. "Not for me… but for everyone. Because, after so long, the time has finally come for everything to return to how it was before."

An uneasy murmur ran through the room.

"What the hell is he talking about?" one of the prosecutors asked.

Viktor smiled.
"About the culmination of my work. Of our legacy. Of what began long before you were born." He leaned forward. "Ladies and gentlemen… the day has come. The Crucible of Chaos."

The word hung in the air, like a gunshot.

"The pinnacle of the war between humans and monsters.
The same one we lived in the Umbra Era."

Phoenix felt a chill.
That term… he had only seen it in fragments of others' memories, in ancient Lycan tales.

"If you still don't understand…" Viktor continued, "I'll give you a clue.
Look out the windows."

Everyone turned.

And then the screams erupted.

The sky was red.
A veil of crimson energy spreading over New York, as if someone had torn open the firmament.
An anomalous, sickly aurora covering the horizon.

The judge stood up abruptly.
"What is this?! Officers, close the curta—"

*Snap.*

A single snap of fingers.

And the two federal guards next to Viktor instantly collapsed, their necks broken unnaturally, as if an invisible force had twisted them.

The room exploded into panic.

Screams.
Chairs falling.
Papers flying.
People running for the exits.

Enid instinctively stepped back.
Marcus moved in front of her.

And Phoenix…

Phoenix already had his Matilda drawn, aimed directly at Darem's head.

The Paladin bared his teeth.

Viktor tilted his head, observing Phoenix like one contemplates an unfinished work of art.

"I knew you wouldn't disappoint…" he murmured. "I've underestimated you too many times, Über Lycan."

The red of the sky reflected in his eyes.

"I expect much from you… Reincarnated One."

The world, in that instant, seemed to stop.

And the war was about to begin.

*December 20, 2000.*
The situation in New York has reached an unprecedented level in modern history. During the early hours, an unknown phenomenon spread around the entire city, forming a dark veil enveloping Manhattan and nearby districts. Witnesses claim that, at its edges, this veil takes on a disturbing reddish hue, as if breathing on its own.

Federal authorities confirmed the veil is completely impenetrable. No ground, air, sea, or subterranean equipment can breach it, regardless of power or method used. Nothing enters and nothing leaves. Every attempt to pierce, bomb, or cross it has failed completely.

Communications are also totally disabled. There is no radio signal, telephony, satellites, or emergency transmissions. It is as if the entire city has been disconnected from the rest of the world. Internal visibility is nil; from the outside, only a black surface can be seen, allowing no view of what happens inside. Neither thermal cameras, nor infrared, nor radar detect any movement.

After an emergency meeting, the White House has issued direct orders: the only thing to do now is wait. No viable military or scientific strategy exists until the nature of the phenomenon is determined. A quarantine perimeter has been established around the state, with thousands of personnel already mobilized.